The city of Casper, Wyoming, is launching a public service campaign to get citizens to mulch mow. The movement is an attempt by authorities to reduce the amount of waste that is thrown out. According to city officials, 16 percent of what’s dumped into their landfill every year is yard waste. If individuals avoided bagging their grass clippings, it would save approximately $65,000 per year.

In 2012, Casper launched a program banning yard waste in trash bins on the west side of the town, and offered a curbside pickup for $10 a month. But the first year ended with a net loss of $24,842, so they abandoned the program.

The city hired an intern to analyze what sort of residential garbage ended up in the landfill from May to July. The analysis revealed that 45 percent of waste, by weight, came from food or yards. All of this material could be composted and mulched.

Armed with these facts, the city plans to launch an education campaign so people can start mulching. The campaign plans to dispel myths on the matter, teach workshops on outfitting mowers with mulch blades and explain the importance of eliminating yard waste.